These are the days where Oil spill is not very common and legal bindings are severe where the ship’s staff has to be very careful when it comes to oil storage/transfer and bunkering operations. This can be extended to the sludge transfers too.
On Friday, oil sheens were found in the Columbia River near Kalama,which extended 30 miles downriver. Reports say a freighter spilled 80 gallons of oil a day before into the river.
There were no reports of immediate damage to the wildlife. Given this oil spill scenario, the annual smelt run has brought an abundance of sea lions, eagles and other wildlife into the Lower Columbia River area recently. A large black stain on the side of the vessel shows that oil apparently poured off the deck and down the side of the hull. The ship is anchored in the channel and is not at any land-based wharf.
“So far what we’ve seen is a light, unrecoverable sheen in different areas,” Krista Kenner, an Ecology spokesperson, said Friday. “The ship was anchored mid-river, waiting for an opening at the Temco Grain Terminal at the Port of Kalama, when crew members noticed the leak,” officials added.
Officials Friday conducted additional aerial and downstream assessments to determine whether any shorelines need cleanup.
Representatives of the Coast Guard, the state Department of Ecology and other agencies are on scene today investigating the cause and nature of the spill. At times, fatigue and lack of professionalism from the seafarers can lead to severe implications on the environment and on the shore staffs who manage the ships. Though the ultimate responsibility is usually shouldered by the ship managers, it is essential that the ship’s crew should be careful and be responsible to ensure that there is always a flawless operation executed on board.
Disclaimer: This is a news reported and it has been reproduced removing ship’s name and associated details. This news in no way is published to cause any impact on the ship owner/manager and it is shared for educational/safety awareness. The image used in this news is for representation purpose only. The original rights of the image remain with the image source.
Source: TDN
